Contacted by phone, Apolinario laughed off Saez’s allegations against him and some of his men.

“[Saez] should take a psychiatric test,” Apolinario told the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

He said Saez was “desperate because he’s been suspended for over a year now for his involvement in a drug-related extortion case.”

“He couldn’t accept what happened to him,” Apolinario said in Filipino. “Now, he’s blaming us for his misfortune. Worse, he wants to destroy not just the Taguig police force but the entire PNP (Philippine National Police).”

Saez, who joined the PNP in 1997, also alleged that during his “active involvement” with the group from May to October 2011, they “made at least P5 million.”

“My take was around P200,000,” said Saez, a native of Lopez, Quezon province.

In a statement read to reporters, Saez claimed that during his assignment as an investigator on the Taguig police station’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force, he and his colleagues were involved in the “recycling” of shabu.

“We were arresting big drug pushers outside our area of jurisdiction. We would make money out of the arrested pushers and sell the confiscated drugs to the pushers in Taguig,” Saez said.

Saez alleged that at the Taguig police station, two sets of blotters were kept supposedly on Apolinario’s orders.

He added: “Only small cases were listed in the official blotter … On orders of our chief of police, we would produce an additional blotter so that we could record there the many cases of crime [including those involving drug-related cases] …

“Two blotters were being made at the station so that we could cover up the many crimes occurring in Taguig, and we could show that it was orderly and peaceful in Taguig.”

The second blotter was used by the group to extort money from drug suspects, Saez said.

According to him, the group also did business with an undisclosed number of “Chinese drug dealers” serving time at the New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa City.

Two months ago, Saez said he wrote a letter to Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina, head of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), to report the irregularities involving PNP-Taguig personnel.

On Nov. 19, he said he got a call from “a certain P02 Gajeto, who introduced himself as an NCRPO investigator.”

When he reported to Gajeto’s office, Saez said he was asked to issue a sworn statement about his disclosures. There, he learned that the Taguig policemen he mentioned in his complaint were “already being investigated by the command.”

However, he said he got one of the biggest surprises of his life when he found out that the same affidavit he issued to the NCRPO was used by the cops he cited in the complaint in a libel case filed against him in a Taguig City court.

Saez said he believed that “because of the leakage, my life is now in danger.”

He said this prompted him to seek the help of the National Bureau of Investigation for a “parallel investigation” on the case.

He is also considering joining the witness protection program of the Department of Justice.

Saez admitted that money was at the root of his current problems.

“It’s hard to be a policeman,” he told the forum. “Sometimes you really need money … I have also dreamed of getting rich,” he said.

Asked why he decided to blow the whistle on his fellow policemen, Saez claimed: “I want to change.”

In his written statement, he said: “As an assistant facilitator of Couples of Christ, I believe that this is what the Lord wants for me, that I would become an instrument to correct the wrongs.”

Saez met with Espina later Monday at the NCRPO office in Camp Bagong Diwa and explained his allegations against the Taguig policemen.

Espina said he asked Saez for a copy of the criminal complaint he had filed against his fellow officers so that administrative charges—if warranted—could be filed against them.

If the administrative charges are filed, the officers will be placed under preventive suspension, Espina said. A police investigation team will look closely into Saez’s case, he said.

Saez also planned to see Sen. Panfilo Lacson in his Senate office. The meeting was arranged by a former “jueteng” whistle-blower, who asked not to be named. With a report from Maricar Brizuela

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http://pulse.yahoo.com/_WIWYLFLU4LPKS7B2ZLLRVFKS3Y vir_a

Wala na talagang pag-asa na mareform ang police system natin

jeffrey_01

Saez has statement has truth to it. The modus is common among police forces and they got away with it. Even PDEA is doing the recycling itself.

observer1356

not dissimilar to Training Day… Saez’s safety should be ensured from now onwards and alleged police officers should be investigated and/or relieved of duties if signs of truth in Saez claims show.

In light of current realities, is this still a shocking revelation? Wouldn’t it be really shocking though if the concerned authorities also laughed off the allegations of this whistle-blower? Can the PNP sustain more damage than what is experiencing with erring policemen, either as the perps themselves or as cohorts of criminal elements? What will it take to cleanse and refurbish the reputation of the institution? Truth be told, the citizenry could be just about ready to throw its hands up in utter frustration and exasperation.

PO3 Alexander Saez’s life is really in danger after he made allegations that Taguig Police station chief Senior Supt. Tomas Apolinario, Jr, and his men are involved in illegal drug trade which operates inside the station itself.

He has made many enemies, not only his police colleagues but also those persons with whom said police officers deal with.

This is a very serious matter for the internal affairs. There may be truth to the allegations. One has admitted making mistakes and is repentant but is accusing his colleagues of the same misdeed he has committed.

But he may also be exhibiting crab mentality. He is falling and on the way down he holds holds colleagues similarly guilty because he probably wants them to fall with him.

D_BystandeR

I agree to your first premise that the life of this “whistle blower” PO3 Saez is in danger in the hands of his “corrupt comrades in police force” in Taguig City and that he really deserved to be in the Witness Protection Program to save his life in his role as a “credible witness” once this comes out into a “full blown investigation.” But the “crab mentality” that you suggest is in line with defense mechanism that the alleged cops engaged in the illegal trade will likely invoke. Nobody in his right mind would assume such a big problem thus putting his life on the line other than those who are highly convinced of their “spiritual transformation” like what PO3 Saez has proclaimed being an active member of “Couples for Christ.”

MonMayuga

Like I wrote, “His words against theirs.”

We may never know the whole truth. But I sincerely hope that Saez is telling part if not the whole. At least he showed the way that may lead to the discovery of the whole.
A lifestyle check of these police officer should be conducted to find out if they have become rich beyond their lawful means.

http://twitter.com/Olibo2 Olibo

We heard similar stories like this, where the confessor was also a participant (accessory), pero pag nawala na sa media, nalilimutan na at walang napaparusahan. Although there’s a benefit of the doubt (e.g. ulterior motive, etc.) I believe conspiracy to a crime like this occurs in our police agency. Nunal pa lang ito sa gabundok na kabulukan sa ating kapulisan. We need more officers like General Espina, hindi niya kayang mag-isa ang maglinis sa PNP.

opinyonlangpo

Its difficult for people to trust the police if every now and then they are involved in crimes. Its still best to avoid cops, who knows maybe the one you are talking to might be the crook with a badge.

D_BystandeR

If we follow what you are saying “to avoid cops” then we are at a loss. We expect the cops to help us solve our problems. We should not lose hope that somehow somebody in the PNP can be trusted to solve this nationwide phenomenon. I have high trust to the honesty of General Leonardo Espina of NCRPO. We just hope he succeeds in eradicating the “bad eggs” from the police force starting from the investigation of the police involvement in the “drug trade” in Taguig. But he has to get the full support of the P-Noy administration in this regard to make the crusade of “daang matuwid” a success, too!

Ho-hum, this is not news anymore, a normal way of life of our police force in this country. skip this article, it’s not interesting.

$37644997

PNP To Protect and To Serve,the public specially the crooks in any way.

CheapJ

Espina should play a direct role into this if he really wants to reform the PNP. Same as jueteng, it will not flourish without the protection from PNP.

charlie_oscar

So the NBI (kidnappers) investigate the PNP (shabu polis)….We need to dismantle and start over!

randyaltarejos

Saez should be put under the Witness Protection Program. For me, he is not safe roaming around outside. Otherwise, he will be silenced forever. I think NCRPO chief Leonardo Espina will exhaust all means to probe on Saez allegations against the Taguig City cops.

pedronimo

TAMA KA DIYAN RANDY.

captainramius

This is not a surprise at all. Any city that drug trade is existing the police involvement is not far off. Pa drug test mo mga yan sigurado hooked na din ang mga ito.

Revamp muna yong Police Precint na yan. Drug is one of the most common reason of criminals killing even children just to have money to buy for this addiction. These policemen if guilty are also guilty of these crimes !!!

captainramius

MOST IF NOT ALL HEINOUS CRIMES… LIKE KILLING CHILDREN OR OLDER PEOPLE ARE DUE TO DRUGS…. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE THESE POLICEMEN SHOULD BE HANGED IN FRONT OF THE VICTIMS OF THESE DRUG ADDICTS.

DRUG ADDICTION IS WORSE THAN JUETENG… THEY ARE KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE ESPECIALLY CHILDREN

MAYOR NG TAGUIG ANO GINAGAWA MO ?

pedronimo

Naku Cayetano dynasty po iyan, eh. What can the people expect kundi “Wala iyan” reaction. Talk of the evil of dynasties, this is it: D R U G S

Integrated National Police is what we need.We can’t no longer repair a “dilapidated building” but rather destroy it and build a new one instead.

http://www.dafk.net/what/ Kilabot ng mga Balahibo

Sorta like a reset button.

I agree with the idea, but it is easier said than done.

Sana buong pilipinas ganyan, out with the old bad methods, and in with the new. Khmer Rouge tried to do it pero it too failed, and failed miserably.

$37644997

Cambodia was once armed totalitarian,Pinas atleast loves freedom and of religion.

http://www.dafk.net/what/ Kilabot ng mga Balahibo

Yes, i just wish we could use what we have to reset our PNP, (and in a grander scale, our country) using what we have, which as you said were freedom and religion (among other good qualities we have.)

kalikasanipagtanggol

All of them including all officers should be sent to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and Middle East baka sakali yung mga sungay ay matapyas! Rebuild PNP with new recruits!

pedronimo

The fact that this whistle blower Saez spilled specific circumstances, amount, and personalities, not to mention his motive, he is credible, not hallucinating as claimed by Policarpio. Now Taguig is the turf of the Cayetano dynasty. I suppose Alan and his Mayor wife and his sister Pia will only give a knee-jerk “Wala iyan” reaction. The NBI and the Senate should investigate the allegations of cop Saez and let heads roll; otherwise, yung laban ng bayan sa droga walang kararatnan.

captainramius

So the Cayetano family…. dynasty kayo dyan sa Taguig … what are you doing with this menace… policemen plying the drug trade right in your turf.

Drug and crime is directly connected with each other in this country which is expected as we are a poor country . Alan Cayetano and Pea your move .

government agencies can afford to be noynoying because they know that the attention of the people are on the RH bill and on all other diversions that the Aquino admin is creating, which is also why these policemen have the guts in committing crimes themselves. no one is keeping an eye out on actual problems because all eyes are diverted to something else.

if these authorities have drug syndicate operations themselves and do all sorts of crimes as well, who else are we going to count on for our safety and protection? who else is going to enforce the law? and they say we are under a good governance?!

At least suspend them now pending a swif investigation, if proven innocent, let the NBI file charges at Saez.

prolificity

I won’t be surprised if Saez’s allegations are true. I used to live a few blocks away from Taguig’s boundaries with Makati, and rarely are big fish caught by Makati, PDEA, and NBI raids done over the last several years on our side. I’ve even witnessed chases during late evening/midnight raids. Puro runners, buyers from Pasig, small time dealers lang nahuhuli, never the ones running the ring. Some people have even resorted to vigilantism during my time there, gunning down pushers every now and then, because the authorities on our side of the border with Taguig only pick up street dealers and runners

Now we know why: there are people higher up protecting them on the other side.

maraming whistleblowers pa ang kailangan. saez may be in trouble now but the appearance of good is on his side and his old colleagues that he abandoned are still not sure of their fate. saez the “trouble maker” is now a nation builder. mga whistleblowers maglabasan narin kayo at huwag matakot.

Frodo44444

Crazy way to investigate. Announce your pending arrival…then wait till all the evidence is gone…

Interesting.

Lapu Lapu

The drug problem wouldn’t have worsen in our Country without the connivance of some law enforcement agencies.

In my view, it is a never ending problem unless we all repent and become close to God.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_IGLQQ2TTZF3BAWUHUWLFWVPZDE Vladymir

hindi sila closer sa god ,mas close sila sa lord ,drug lord

John_Cruz

The PNP needs major overhaul. Rogue members of PNP are involved in many criminal acts. Recycling and pushing drugs in just one area of criminality and is widely practiced all over the Philippines. A relative of mine, Barangay Captain from San Fernando, Pampanga was assasinated by hired killers of Drug Syndicates because he fought them

http://profile.yahoo.com/36O4ZGE5JY24XE4XQOXBM6O4WE Klepto

It’s really fun in PI. All 3 branches of the government are useless as cow dung.

generalproblem

in india and other countries in africa cow dung is very usefull as a source of energy. they use it like a firewood for cooking. So cow dung is usefull than the 3 branches of government you mention.

like i said before, there is no inventory on drugs confiscaed, no warehouse to store it as evidence, therefore, it could be true that what are confiscated were being be resold to drug dealers, and that is money on the side for the involved PNPs…..maybe chief supt. espina might start storing those confiscated drugs in a warehouse as an evidence to whoever is caught with it…..drug pushers shall never diminish here with this kind of operation…..

this could be true. remember that the infamous drug tiange in taguig is just near the police station and the police who raided the tiange are from other police group and the irony is that the taguig police doesnt know everything about the tiange according to the news.

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3RMNEZCQQHXWOQRXJROQ2CORFU Homer Guo

hindi kaya maging ador manaway din si saez sa bandang huli?

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMM3BZ5SAKNWSIDYG3BSIOFNKY Stephen

Chief Apolinario, we will not be surprise if you and your men are involved in the drug syndicate. This is not new, people don’t trust the police force anymore, much more the politicians as well as the judicial system. It’s more fun in Pinas. lol

SINCE THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ALLEGATION, IT IS ONLY PROPER FOR APOLINARIO TO STEP DOWN FROM HIS POSITION SO A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION CAN TAKE PLACE.

captainramius

HE SHOULD STEP DOWN AND FIRST THING HE SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A DRUG TEST AND HIS MEN …PRONTO !

white scorpion

WHAT!! ano, bale. i serve at the pleasure of our chief…….

hinirangako

pssupt apolinario’s record is never tainted in the pnp organization. hello responsible journalism?!

sam_aquino

in order for gen. espina to clean the image & bring back the trust of the public to the police in uniforms, he needs to do a lot of housecleaning… there’s plenty of this similar case around…

go get them, sir!!!

AlexanderAmproz

“bring back the trust”

— Do ever Filipino’s trusted Police, Army, or any other administrations ?

sam_aquino

yes, we did, long time back, before the marcos era…

maybe you weren’t just born then…

AlexanderAmproz

Marcos is the one who drown the country,
drown threw the bottom, no way back, Destroyed,
as well than any credibility world wide !

Done by the worst army and police since then,
Marcos succeed thank’s JPE partnership…

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D3LDMMAKC6UDQLDVFP2DGSJBXY Jezzrel

Pera pera lang yaan mga kabayan…

captainramius

DRUG TRADE AS PROVEN IN OTHER COUNTRIES NOTABLY MEXICO WILL NOT SPREAD WITHOUT PROTECTION FROM THE POLICE.

TAMA ANG WHISTLE BLOWER NA ITO.

http://profile.yahoo.com/CAWLT6SE3IC36RTDVRUIDWO364 Dag Erickson

Here, Please stop pretending that the POLICE are not fighting over drug money. WHERE’S THE INVENTORY OF THE DRUG CONFISCATED? In foreign countries, policemen do the same even in the richest country in the world. In Pasay City POLICEMEN shoot each other over money collection. I have heard tons of news on drug arrests but no news on drug confiscated inventory.

yan ang hirap if you did not start your political career from the bottom. nag-jump start lang. kayang kaya ka paikutin ng kahit janitor mo.

virgo8888

why o why these news dont surprise us anymore? why do they salvage the petty criminals and not these cops??

white scorpion

simply because they can not salvage themselves….LOL!!! …..kaagaw pa

http://pulse.yahoo.com/_VPSXDLCQEZGZDJSX32G7PYHNCI Noel

They would not hesitate to eliminate their own if necessary. That’s who Mafia works.

jeffrey_01

The problem started from the very top? Top brass don’t get percentage of the drug sell?

RomyLitz

During the time of Pandak president, Eseng or Eusebio, still of Pasig, was caught with his pants down was miraculously exonerated ?? So, what’s this deja vu again only to be absolve for no sensible reasons?

on one side saez maybe telling the truth. but that doesn’t mean he is clean. the problem is that ALMOST all policemen and police chief have one way or another their respective RACKET. mayroon nga dyan, PD na,…..carnapping protector. ganyan talaga gawain ng police. pag threat ka sa racket nila. gagawan ka ng violation. kalaban mo ngayon national o local government. since saez admit he had received considerable amount of money. he had to suffer the consequences. the problem now is how are we going to CLEAN these irritant (kulugo) of our society. i think almost the whole force is……a DISGRACE!!!!

more true in the Philippines than in most of the places,
as they are train to it by the Clergy, since Magellan.

Shabu turn over supposed to be 800 BILLIONS Pesos,
enough money to buy the “Republic”,

It’s an open secret !

ryan andres

Pfft. Not surprising if proven true. Most likely true, anyway. Cops are pigs.

http://profile.yahoo.com/SPDAZIXLRDOGCON42ETFG4AG3A TonTon

who is telling the truth??? PNP please investigate. hang the drug lord…

WAJ

If I were the authority I will certainly investigate the allegation. You’ll never know how crook operates, they may be next door.

zeroko

Drug ring is similar to Mafia. The code of silence is the primary weapon so that the people would not know to what extend their influence has. There is such thing as narco-politics in which these illegal drug business sponsors or donate millions of pesos to politicians so they will get protect once the politician wins.

He he he. With Chinese in our government, who would oppose the proliferation of these very powerful organization. Remember, both Taiwanese and Mainland Chinese chemist are ‘imported’ from their respective country and work together to manufacture illegal drugs in our country. The objective is very obvious, to control our country. The British brought opium from India to neutralize Chinese opposition to their presence in Hong Kong. And these happens during the early years when British was given 100 year lease to Hong Kong.

Similar technique was use to neutralize the American Indians and the Aborigines of Australia by introducing alcohol drinks making them drunkards which makes them useless even to themselves.

There will always be a struggle between a superior race and the weaker on. The stronger race would obliterate the weaker race with the purpose of taking over their land for themselves. Fortunately, the Indonesians and people from Malaysia successfully was able to contain the foreign intrusion to their land. Foreigners are banned from participating in their politics. Now, both country has over taken the Philippines in all aspect. While we are pondering to purchase 6 inferior fighter airplanes, Indonesia has last year ordered 30 fifth generation stealth fighter airplane from Korea which is under license from America. Both countries bought A380s while PhilAirLines settle for the smaller B 777 for long haul. Mind you, the pioneer native pilots of Malaysia and Singapore learn their trade from PAL way back then. And now, their airlines is a force to recon with. Singapore bought 38 A 380.

It is no surprise that our country is called the ‘dead basket’ meaning useless because all our resources is siphoned to China. He he he. We have now a government debt of 5.8 trillion pesos and still rising. With 386 billion obligation on interest alone yearly, how can we ever pay these sovereign guarantees? Instead of prudent spending, our Chinese government resort to selling spree by way of the PPP or Public Private Partnership. Sooner or later, the Filipinos will have nothing to call their own except perhaps the shirt in their back.

A nation of “uto-uto!”

cong_lolong

A month ago there was a report that PDEA officials sold drug chemicals which were supposed to have already been destroyed. Now, practically the entire police station is extorting money from drug pushers and recycling confiscated drugs. We are going nuts! The Mayans could be right, the end of the world may just happen on December 21.

zeroko

Not so fast. Que sera, sera. What ever will be will be. But that is not our problem. Dooms day will happen anyway. I come to learn of one incident, although second-hand information, from a classmate of my son. His lady classmate said that her father, a policeman kept several kilos of confiscated Shabu for himself and sold it to the black market. It was worth several millions of pesos. After selling the illegal drugs, the policeman requested that he be assign in the far flung province where the syndicate can not reach him. He became filthy rich by all standard. He he he. Wise guy!

The daughter who was a nursing graduate is now assign somewhere in Saudi Arabia. No more link from her.Some law enforcers would substitute ordinary flour for the Shabu, very similar in appearance. He he he. It’s only in the Philippines!

Albert Einstien

” it’s more DRUGS in the philippines “……gising!

Rap88

Nothing new, police, military, politicians protector of all illegal activities in the Phils.

I thought PNP has its own version of Internal Affairs ( like the americans ) Dept. what are these people doing ? Similar to the useless and inutile Airport Police in NAIA …MMDA has to deploy people near the airport to stop beggars and street children harrassing tourists.

We are fast creating agencies and depts. with the sole purpose only of giving some jobs to some people to be headed by retired so and so …

Policemen involved in drug trade is a ver serious crime…. we netizens should not stop pestering our police officers to hit these criminals hard.

Reading from the news, you should be afraid of a drug addict needing to rob someone than an ordinary snatcher of thief… these people kill without hesitation.

Garo Ungaro

this is serious crime…authorities should do something before this get out of hand..in Mexico the government is having a hard time eradicating this problem..drug cartel…against the mexican government its big money and the citizen are the victims. both sides kill at well…no question asked…if the police force and some well to do politicians get envolved then, we are in big trouble. drugs are better than corruptions its fast and easy money. this is just the beginning of a big problem. if politicians…police/military can be involved the its worst..its big money….hope they can eradicate this before it get out on hand….